He's not just one of Lebanon County's favorite sons anymore. He's now got the kind of national profile that comes with being a World Series champion and being a part of one of the most iconic plays in the history of the Fall Classic.

But it was apparent on Saturday morning that Derek Fisher is still just as comfortable on Lebanon County soil, surrounded by the friendly faces of his youth, many of whom have become some of the biggest fans of the Houston Astros' 24-year old outfielder and World Series hero.

Fisher became a permanent part of baseball lore after his mad dash from second to home to score the walk-off winning run in Houston's electric 13-12,10-inning, Game 5 victory over the Dodgers that propelled it to the world title.

But to those who know the Cedar Crest graduate and Rexmont native best, he's still unassuming, laid-back Derek, a guy who smiles easily and was happy to make an appearance at Fairview Golf Course on Saturday to sign autographs, pose for photos and collect donations for an as yet undetermined charity of his choice.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," Fisher said, prior to greeting the 100-plus fans in attendance. "I've always wanted to have the opportunity to come back and just bring back what this community brought to me. Obviously it was a great place to grow up and have fun and develop as a kid and obviously become the man I am today."

There has been fun aplenty for Fisher since the World Series win, including Saturday's appearance at Fairview that was organized by pro shop manager Todd Fetzer and owner Jim Jones, as well as the chance to drop the puck at the Hershey Bears game last weekend.

"Derek's about as humble a kid as you can get," Fetzer said. "He's a great kid, great to work with. We're happy to have him out here."

"It's been a lot of fun," Fisher said. "I've been able to enjoy it and understand just how hard it really is (to win a World Series). For my teammates and everyone alike, it was a really fun year and with the team we having coming up it's gonna be something to continue to push towards and strive for. And continue to become better people and a better team and continue to have fun."

Fisher is also well aware of how fortunate he was to earn a World Series ring as a rookie when some of the game's all-time greats have found the same accomplishment to be painfully elusive.

"It's crazy, to think about all the guys that haven't been there," Fisher said. "Some of the best of the best. The most eye-opening part of it to me was (Astros teammate) Beltran. Carlos Beltran had hung around for 20 years and won his first World Series at age 40. Hands down, some of the best people I've ever met are on that team, and he's the best as far as being a baseball person and a people person. I grew up watching him as a kid and to be on the same team with him that won a World Series is something I'll remember forever."

Of course, Fisher played an important role in the World Series that he, Beltran and the rest of the Astros got to celebrate, with his aforementioned Game 5 base-running heroics.

Pinch running at second base for catcher Brian McCann in the bottom of the 10th of a 12-12 game, Fisher took off for home after Alex Bregman lined the first pitch into left center and slid in safely just ahead of the throw to the plate.

"It's awesome, it's obviously the most prominent play ever in my heart," he said. "It's something I'm gonna remember forever and I know Bregman will and the rest of the team will, too. To be the guy to do it was a lot of fun."

Fisher's rookie year was successful for more reasons than just that one play. After being called up from Houston's Class AAA affiliate in June, Fisher proved his big league mettle, appearing in 53 games in the outfield. Though he tailed off after a fast start, he still managed to hit .212 with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs and definitely appears to be in the Astros' plans moving forward.

"Best season of my life," he said. "The accolades I was able to put together and the people I was able to meet and the adjustments I was able to make, it was the best season of my career. To be able to have those opportunities was very special."

Also special to Fisher is the chance to give back to the community, something he hopes to be able to do soon through his own foundation, which is still in the planning stages. But the request for charitable donations Saturday was a preliminary step in that direction.

"It's something that I've always wanted to do, to be able to give back," Fisher said. "I've always told myself when I have the opportunity to do it, I want to be able to do it. I want to be able to give back and to help, no matter how little or how much, a community and people that have meant so much to me."